Introduction
If you grew up in the late 2000s, chances are you remember the golden age of PSP games. The PlayStation Portable wasn’t just a console—it was a lifeline for anime fans who wanted to carry their favorite series in their pocket. Among the countless anime adaptations that landed on the PSP, one game still sparks nostalgia and heated debates: Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising.
I’ll be honest: when I first booted this game up on my PSP, I wasn’t expecting much. The Naruto franchise had dozens of games already, some hits and a lot of misses. But Akatsuki Rising was different. It didn’t just throw you into button-mashing fights—it wrapped you into the Shippuden storyline, pitted you against the fearsome Akatsuki organization, and gave you a surprisingly deep action RPG experience.
Today, I’m diving deep into this classic—its storyline, gameplay mechanics, comparisons, walkthroughs, and legacy. Whether you’re a nostalgic gamer, a Naruto fan, or just curious about the PSP era, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What is Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising?
At its core, Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising is an action RPG released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) by Bandai Namco. It adapts the early Naruto Shippuden story arc, covering Naruto’s return to the Hidden Leaf Village and the rise of the Akatsuki organization.
Unlike the straight-up fighting games in the series (like Ultimate Ninja Heroes), Akatsuki Rising experimented with RPG elements: character progression, missions, unlockables, and even team-based strategy. It sat in an unusual spot—part fighting game, part role-playing game (RPG), and fully entrenched in the Naruto gaming franchise.
If you’re familiar with anime games, think of it as a portable cousin of Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm, but with more RPG flavor and less cinematic spectacle.
Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising – System Requirements
| Platform | Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
| PSP (Original Hardware) | – PlayStation Portable (PSP-2000/3000/PSP Go)- 333 MHz CPU- 32 MB RAM- UMD Disc or Digital Download (ISO) | Same as minimum (PSP hardware is fixed) |
| Windows (via PPSSPP Emulator) | – OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)- CPU: Dual-core 2.0 GHz- RAM: 2 GB- GPU: DirectX 9.0c compatible- Storage: 1 GB free | – OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)- CPU: Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 3 or higher- RAM: 4 GB+- GPU: DirectX 11/OpenGL 3.3 capable (NVIDIA/AMD preferred)- Storage: 2 GB free |
| Android (via PPSSPP Emulator) | – OS: Android 5.0+- CPU: Quad-core 1.5 GHz- RAM: 2 GB- Storage: 1 GB free | – OS: Android 10+- CPU: Snapdragon 845 or better- RAM: 4 GB+- Storage: 2 GB free |
| iOS (via PPSSPP Emulator, sideloaded) | – Jailbroken or sideloaded PPSSPP build- iOS 13+- 2 GB RAM | – iOS 15+- A12 Bionic chip or newer- 4 GB RAM |
💡 Note:
- On PSP, the game runs natively with no setup beyond owning the UMD or digital copy.
- On PC/Android/iOS, requirements depend on the PPSSPP emulator. For smooth 60 FPS gameplay, stronger CPUs and GPUs are recommended.
Storyline and Gameplay
The Naruto Shippuden Story Arc
The game faithfully follows narutosenkiapk.net journey in the Shippuden timeline. We start with Naruto’s return from training with Jiraiya, right into missions where the Hidden Leaf Village faces growing threats. The highlight? Battling the notorious Akatsuki organization, each member offering unique challenges.
For me, reliving these arcs on a handheld console was pure joy. Sure, it wasn’t as polished as the anime, but it gave me control of the story—suddenly I wasn’t just watching Naruto fight Itachi, I was in the fight.
Ninja Battles and Ultimate Jutsu
Combat is mission-driven and layered with ninja battles, combo systems, and flashy Ultimate Jutsu. Pulling off a Rasengan mid-battle was a real fist-pump moment (even if my PSP buttons started wearing out from spamming). The inclusion of Jinchuriki powers elevated boss fights, making them feel epic rather than repetitive.
Hidden Leaf Village Missions
Missions are structured around defending the Hidden Leaf Village and exploring different areas tied to Naruto’s world. Some missions are straightforward “beat all enemies,” while others involve protecting allies or hunting down specific Akatsuki members. Yes, a few of these missions dragged, but overall, they created a sense of progression and immersion.
Gameplay Mechanics and Controls
Combat System
The combat system blends fighting game mechanics with light RPG progression. Standard attacks chain into combos, and each character has unique movesets. Facing boss fights against Akatsuki members was a highlight—Pain’s battle, in particular, was a test of patience and reflexes.
Progression and Unlockables
This is where the RPG flavor shines. Characters level up, unlock new abilities, and gain access to power-ups. Unlocking different Akatsuki members as playable characters was an absolute treat (I still remember grinding just to unlock Itachi).
Multiplayer Mode
One underrated aspect? The multiplayer mode. Linking up with friends’ PSPs made for chaotic fun. It reminded me of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, but with more cooperative missions rather than just versus battles.
Comparing Akatsuki Rising to Other Anime Games
Other Naruto PSP Titles
When stacked against other Naruto PSP games—like Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, Path of the Ninja, or Ninja Council—Akatsuki Rising feels unique. While the others leaned into pure fighting game mechanics, this one dared to fuse RPG progression with mission-driven gameplay.
Similar Anime RPGs
Comparisons don’t stop at Naruto. Fans of anime PSP games will notice similarities with Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, One Piece: Romance Dawn, and Bleach: Heat the Soul series. Like Akatsuki Rising, these games adapted popular anime into bite-sized RPG adventures.
Genre Placement
In the bigger picture, this game straddles multiple hypernyms: it’s a video game, yes—but it’s also a fighting game, a role-playing game, and part of a wider ecosystem of anime-based games that defined the PSP era.
Role of Akatsuki in the Game
Naruto Shippuden Universe
The Akatsuki weren’t just villains—they were central to the Naruto Shippuden series. In-game, they serve as powerful bosses and eventually unlockable characters, giving fans the thrill of playing as the very enemies they once feared.
Anime RPG Culture
The game reflects anime RPG culture, where adapting story arcs into interactive missions gives fans deeper immersion. Unlike just watching the anime, this let you feel like a shinobi navigating Naruto’s dangerous world.
Fan Community
To this day, the Naruto fan community talks about Akatsuki Rising. Forums, YouTube gameplay videos, and walkthroughs keep the game alive—proof of its lasting legacy in the PSP game library.
Guides and Walkthroughs
Akatsuki Rising PSP Gameplay Tips
If you’re diving in, here are some tips for beating Akatsuki in PSP game:
- Use Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu to manage crowds.
- Save chakra for Ultimate Jutsu during boss fights.
- Balance your team—pair heavy hitters with support ninjas.
Unlocking Akatsuki Members
Fans always ask how to unlock Akatsuki members. Typically, you need to defeat them in story mode and then replay missions to add them to your roster. The grind? Worth it. Playing as Deidara or Itachi is a game-changer.
Naruto Shippuden: Akatsuki Rising Cheats
Yes, there are cheats and hidden features: unlimited chakra, unlocking all characters, or skipping missions. While I prefer grinding, I’ll admit—sometimes you just want to unleash Pain’s almighty push without the hassle.
How to Play Akatsuki Rising (How-to Guide)
Getting Started
First things first: if you still have a PSP, great—you’re in for the authentic experience. Otherwise, there are legal emulation options (just make sure you own the game).
Learning the Controls
The Naruto Shippuden PSP controls are fairly intuitive: square for attacks, triangle for special moves, circle for grabs, and X for jumps. Combos mix these with directional inputs.
Building the Best Team
The secret to enjoying the game is team synergy. For example: Naruto + Sakura + Kakashi gives you balance. But if you want raw power? Go all-in with Akatsuki members once unlocked.
More Related Games
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising still playable today?
A: Yes—if you have a PSP, physical copies are still floating around. Emulation is also possible, though make sure you own the game.
Q: Who are the playable Akatsuki characters on PSP?
A: Itachi, Kisame, Deidara, and others become playable once unlocked through story progression.
Q: How do you use Ultimate Jutsu?
A: Build chakra, then unleash with a combo of triangle + circle. Timing is key—it can turn a fight around.
Q: Is it worth playing compared to Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm?
A: If you want flashy, cinematic battles, Storm is better. But if you enjoy RPG grinding, mission-based gameplay, and portable fun, Akatsuki Rising still holds up.
Legacy of Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising
Looking back, Akatsuki Rising might not have been the most polished Naruto game, but it carved its own space. It wasn’t just another adaptation—it was an RPG experiment that captured the spirit of the Naruto anime franchise and enriched the PSP game library.
As part of Bandai Namco’s anime game lineup and Shonen Jump adaptations, it remains a cult classic. For fans, it’s more than just a game—it’s a piece of Naruto history you could carry in your pocket.
Conclusion
Naruto Shippuden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising isn’t perfect—it has repetitive missions, uneven pacing, and graphics that show the PSP’s age. But none of that erases its impact. For those of us who played it, it’s more than a game; it’s a memory, a connection to Naruto’s world during a time when handheld consoles ruled.
If you’re an anime fan, a gamer, or someone chasing nostalgia, dust off your PSP or fire up an emulator—because this is one Naruto adventure worth reliving.
